Joe Chow chomps down on big government in preparation for election

Former Addison Mayor Joe Chow wants to establish himself as the candidate to defeat incumbent Rep. Joe Barton from Ennis.

Chow, Republican candidate for Texas Congressional District 6, spoke about ending President Barack Obama’s healthcare law, immigration, taxes, states’ rights and big government but took much issue with his incumbent opponent’s time in office. The former mayor stated his case during a campaign event Saturday morning at College Park Center.

“I am for smaller government, lower taxes and fiscal responsibility,” Chow said. “And also, term limits. My opponent, Mr. Barton, has been in office for 28 years. He proposed term limits in 1997, and he forgot about it.”<

Chow went on to say he has the most business experience among Republican contenders for the Congressional seat and will listen to constituents.

As congressman, Chow said he would fight to better secure the borders, eliminate the U.S. Department of Education and end all foreign aid to other countries.

“We need to take care of our own people living in the United States,” he said.

He added that the government ought to drill in the United States and not buy from foreign nations, such as the ones that are members of OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries.

Barton campaign spokesman Sean Brown refuted some of Chow’s remarks in a statement.

“Anyone who alleges that Congressman Barton has lost passion for representing the people of the 6th District either isn’t paying attention or is being disingenuous to try and score political points,” Brown said. “You can watch the Congressman on the House floor or in hearings; he fights for the values of those who elected him. Rep. Barton has lived in the 6th District almost his entire adult life, unlike some of his opponents, so he knows the people and shares many of their same core conservative beliefs.”

Brown explained Barton’s budget vote, saying his vote kept a promise he made to voters – to balance the budget and cut spending.

Allan Saxe, political science associate professor, said there is much dissatisfaction with the Obama administration and Congress as a whole.

“The burden and challenge for Republicans is to mobilize somehow this dissatisfaction on the part of the public,” he said. “Congressional disapproval with both Republicans and Democrats is very high. There is weak leadership in both Congressional Democrats and Republicans.”

Saxe added there is an anti-incumbent mood at all levels of government, but it’s difficult to translate that sentiment into votes for a particular party.